The arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a recent Columbia University graduate and permanent legal resident, should horrify anyone who cares about the First Amendment in the United States of America. Khalil has not been accused of breaking any laws: He simply led raucous protests at Columbia against Israel’s war in Gaza.

Trying to deport Khalil for demonstrating against Israel is an obvious violation of his rights and an attempt to intimidate others, they say.

Police, staged inside and outside the Fifth Avenue building before the demonstration, warned protesters to leave or face arrest.